What else can I do?  Or, How Can I Advertise My Poshmark Closet?

I cannot do live shows! And, now that Poshmark has basically done away with silent shows and so many people are doing live shows, I cannot get my stiff out there enough.  I need to make more sales.  But, how do I get people to engage with my closet?

I add posts to Instagram but I do not have many followers there so who sees it? I make ads for my story on Posh and in my closet but who sees them these days?  Stories are not on the shopping options anymore so no one sees it unless they actually select it in my closet. I do post to Pinterest but that, too, is a very random way to be seen.  I do my blog and a few people have accessed it and I even have five recruits to Poshmark!  That's something. I avoid adding to Facebook because that's family, friends, and former students and I do not want to mix business with just staying in touch with people.

Sharing my own closet many times a day is the best thing I can do.  Finding more followers helps too.  It is no longer helpful to share other people's closets so I withdrew from the daily drudge of the follow games I was doing. 

Doing Pinterest and Instagram more frequently might help but I have no idea who has visited my closet because of what they saw on those two sites.

I do what Posh suggests:  I make the best and most accurate listings I can, I add items regularly, I share my closet several times a day, and I update when I do not have new items to add.

Too much inventory right now and a big need to move a lot out! I love to do the shopping/sourcing part so I've bought too much but how can I pass up Plato's Fill a Bag for nothing offer? And, the shopping gets me out of the house!!!

I suppose I am very worried about getting sales because we could really use the extra money right now.  

Today, I added a comment to 3242 bundles of shoppers who have visited my closet. It really is my only advertising option

If you are taking the time to read my complaining, then you may have the same offer!  Buy 1 Get 2 of equal or lesser value free.  This is for everything in my closet!  Everything!

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

 I am a bit frustrated with Thrift shops marking items at ridiculous prices!

I absolutely love sourcing for my closet.  My goal is to try and purchase items for less than $5.  Hopefully, closer to $3 or less even! I need that so I can make some money on the items.  If my price point is $20, Poshmark takes $4 and if I give $4.99 shipping, there goes another $1.50.  I'd make $14.40. Not bad.  But, most things sell for a lot less than $20.  In fact, to give you an idea of some typical sales, here's what's happened recently:

A top sold for $8 and I made 5.50.  Subtract $3 as an average of what I spent on it.  And, the net is only $2.50.

A pair of capris sold for $12 and I received $7.55 from Posh.  Subtract $3 and I made $4.55.

A bundle of 2 shirts sold for $19 and my earnings were $13.70.  Subtract $6 for what the two items cost me, and my net is $7.70.

Occasionally, I do make a big sale but the majority result in getting my money back for what I spent on them and a little income.

So, what Salvation Army and Goodwill think they are designer outlets, I get frustrated.

Yesterday, I went to my local Salvation Army.  On Wednesdays, four colors (they color code the tags) are 50% off.  Just about every time I found a NWT item of a decent brand, they had tagged it for $24.99!  Even at 50% off, I could not make money on that item.  I even found one item that had a original store tag that had $22.99 as the retail price and Salvation Army tagged it at $24.99!  Are you.......kidding me?

Moreover, many of these items they had priced out of my preferred range (6.99 or less) were not even great brands.  They had overpriced Shein, Forever 21, Rue 21, and Fashion Nova.

They already have tons of Zara that they sell at half price and most of it is junk because they are all flawed with things like broken zippers and tears!

Goodwill does this to some extent too.  I guess it is ok for people looking for a bargain and are buying for themselves but for resellers, it's a bummer.

Thank goodness I still have Plato's Closet and my local SPCA shop here in my hometown and the Curiosity Shop and Teen Challenge in my real hometown.  I've tried God's Thrift before but I remember their prices for secondhand to be outrageous with no deals.

I have so much inventory right now that I do not need anything else but I still love getting great deals with the hope of making more than a few dollars on them.

Conclusion:  Remember my reason for doing this is to keep me busy and focused on something meaningful so I have a distraction from all my worries.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 30% off your item or bundle. 

I do Poshmark as a hobby- not for the money!

First, I have received all my free Ground Advantage supplies from USPS!  They are even better than Priority.  Thank you Poshmark for making the change.

I do this reselling as a hobby.  I do not know how some people make 10,000 dollars a year.  I have earned over 3,000 since I started a few years ago but I have not spent more than I have earned.  So, I am in the black every year.

I like to source for items in any and all thrift shops.  I like listing those items for sale.  I love when an item sells and I love it more when someone buys a bundle.  I enjoy getting a little bit added to my bank account here and there.  It covers coffee at Dunkin' and a few lunches with friends.  It's not a second income! Certainly not my only income, thank goodness.

I spend a few hours a day usually following, sharing, listing, shopping, or doing a silent show.  I do not know how many hours these 10,000 dollar people spend in shows and doing the other stuff.  I know some have bots but I am not spending more of my profits to get one of those.

Am I content?  Yes,.  Does it provide a distraction? Yes.  Does it make me feel like I am doing something good? Definitely.  No for the money but when buyers leave a 5-star rating and a nice comment, I feel great.  In all this time, I think I have had only 3 or 4 disgruntled customers.  One was because the buyer did not read the description and said it was the wrong color.  One, I completely missed a flaw, and one where I mixed up two orders.

All in all, not bad.  All my rating are high.  I have a lot of 5 star ratings.  Thank you all who take the time to rate me.

Ans, I provide a service that helps save the environment!  Second hand is new to you clothing and that's just like new!

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

Labor Day Weekend Sale!  Resellers and buyers alike take advantage!  

That's right!  Here's what to do:

1.  Come to my closet   https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74

2.  Click like for all items you'd love to have (minimum 2 items)

3.  Bundle your likes

4.  Comment on the bundle "Send me an offer I can't refuse!"

5.  Accept the offer I send!

It will make you smile.  Imagine the possibilities!  Resellers can buy from me and then sell in their closet for a profit. Ok with me for this weekend anyway.

Example:  You like these 2 dresses.  They retail for $129 and $139 respectfully.  My price is $35 and $75. You bundle them.  I send an offer for up to 80% off!  Honestly, I would most likely offer $55 which is 50% off! They are excellent pieces and I am losing money if I offer any less.

Or, you like, say, five tops that I listed at $15 each.  Total $75.  I would likely offer $15!  80% off my price!

It all depends on the items you select.  I can guarantee a fair offer!

Why do this?  Why practically give it away?

First, it is only for one weekend.

Second, I need to move out some inventory. I converted my son's room to my Poshmark closet.  In addition to filling up the large and small closets in his room, I have two full racks of clothes, 2 shoes and bags organizers, 6 storage boxes, and a few bags and boxes full of inventory.  Then, my bedroom closet is half full of gowns and maxi dresses.  Finally, my little pink room closet is full of pants, shorts, and skirts.

A little side story-  My pink room was my daughter's room.  When she went to college and we realized she was not coming back home, she helped me redo it as my reading room/music room.  I insisted it be painted pink.  We have a Monet wallpaper trim around the top edge.  Then, 4 bookshelves and a desk. It is decorated in everything French from Art prints to many, many Eiffel Towers and many mementos from all my years teaching.  I love it in there.  The latest addition is what I call a boudoir lamp.  It's pink with a boa trim!  Here's a peek.

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.  And, come browse my closet.

Conclusions I have come to recently.... Working my Poshmark closet!

A few months ago, I realized how much I miss my job with Fuel Ed/Stride.  I was an online French teacher/Academic Integrity Coach.  I loved it.  Most of the work was easy peasy.  Teaching French was mainly following student progress, grading, and communicate regularly.

The AI Coach was a little bit more challenging but a lot of fun for me.  If a teacher in any subject area suspected cheating, the assignment came to me.  Usually, the teacher provided some evidence for what kind of cheating occurred: copied another student, copied Google, obviously had help from a parent, used Google translate....  Unfortunately, it is way too easy for them these days to cheat. I did the research to see if they copied and provided the evidence for a teacher/parent /student conference.  I put together a presentation on slide show that included an intro, why we are meeting, review of terms and policies, interviewing the student (usually the most revealing part), teacher review with the student of the evidence, student allowed to explain or provide additional info, plan of action steps to take, promise to contact teacher or counselor for help, and a pleasant (?) goodbye.  Then, I would follow up with the student and parents in a few days to make sure they were taking the recommendations and actions necessary to improve.

Another unfortunate event- the onset of Artificial Intelligence and CHATgpt.  That marked the beginning of the end.  I could no longer prove cheating other than asking the kid point blank and accusation does not go over well.  

The position was created for me and the powers that be above our school felt my coach position was no longer needed.  I could've continued part-time but that would likely end too since I was not the Senior French teacher.  So, I took the severance package.  It wasn'y much but it was something.  

So, there I was with no job and no extra income except Poshmark.  I felt I had to up my game in getting stuff sold.  So, I put pressure on myself to do a live show.  That was a disaster.  I tried more silent shows, not much came from them.

Finally, I concluded that doing the shows may not be my best bet.  I've sold a few items every week but not to the level of providing a real income!  I now believe the best I can do is share, follow, and list.  That seems to be what helps the most.  I can continue to sometimes advertise on Instagram and post on Pinterest within their guidelines. 

I cannot stress enough that I find and list excellent items.  I do not list anything I would not want for myself or give as a gift to a friend.

I know I have recruited people either through my closet or this blog but I've not received a bonus for that yet.  They have to sell something or buy something, I think, not sure, before I receive the bonus.

I do need more income.  Grandsons need my help. Their dad, my son, does too.  I can pay my bills, no problem.  I'd like to do more with and for them.

Please shop secondhand and save the environment.  In the long run, we are helping each other in may ways.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

 

 I have too much stuff!  Thrifting to sell on Poshmark  August Sale

My inventory has grown to almost 800 available items.  I ran out of hangars- AGAIN!  

I definitely need to sell more.  I probably should do more throughout the day to get more traffic to my closet but I have other stuff to do too.

Honestly, sharing and following is necessary but can get really monotonous.

The irony is that you need to add items to stay fresh and foremost so people do see your closet.  So, I thrift and buy items to add to my closet but apparently I am not selling enough to make room for more.  That leads to two racks and three and one half  closets full of clothes; two shoe holders full of both shoes and bags; six storage containers with jeans, sweaters, beanie babies, swim, and athletic items; one box of tees, and a bunch of home stuff occupying shelves and tops of storage containers!

My August sale is designed to clear out my closet some.  I can't sell at yard sale prices but I can provide some really good and fair deals.  

Here's the August deal:

Buy one get two at half price!  Discounted shipping.  30% off single item purchases.  Free gift with $25 purchase.

Please come by and BUY! Bundle your favs today and I will give you a great deal; fast shipping; and a free gift with $25 purchase.  

Want to join Poshmark?
It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:
LEPROF_74
My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 
See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

My Poshmark Closet is an important distraction!

I have some stuff going on and I am so glad to have Poshmark to keep me busy.  Otherwise, I'd probably do nothing productive.

This past Saturday, Plato's Closet had a summer sale.  Bring your own bag, fill it with all you want, get 90% off!  I found 19 items and paid just over $18.  Less than a dollar for each item!  

After looking over them carefully, there are 3 items I may add to the mystery box or use them as giveaways.  May is the important word in that sentence.  It has a lot power that word.  It is one of the most indecisive words in the English language. It's a halfway promise and a way out of that promise all at the same time.  So, you sound hopeful and good but under the surface you are crossing your fingers you do not have to do it.  Like, I may make the meeting on watching  paint dry on Tuesday.  Everyone has your halfway promise and are hopeful you will be there.  On the other hand, you have a wry smile on your face because you know you are not going!

I did find a Zara dress and an athletic jacket that is really nice. All in all, it was a good haul.

My sales have been better lately.  I guess the change keeping people from updating their items using bots has allowed more exposure for us small fries. 

I also calculated how much I have spent so far this year and how much I have made.  Good news- I am in the black!

This is the easiest and most enjoyable "hobby" I have ever had.  It's very easy to do. It's better than a yard sale!  So, come join me and have a little fun and make a little money.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle. 

The thrift adventure continues. 

Can you believe how fortunate I have been this week?

I went to the S.P.C.A thrift store 4 times.

They ran a $2 sale every day, a different category each day.

In total, I bought 82 items, from shoes to gowns, for$126.40.

Each item cost me $1.55.  No telling what i will be able to get for them.

One item is a wedding dress that still has the tags and was $650 originally!

I even bought several beanie babies! I can't wait to research them!

I won't need to source for quite some time!!!!!

It's not the lottery but it's a real thrill.

So, no job.

Yes, once again I chickened out. I looked into my new job conditions and decided it was not for me.  It is online but there is someone supervising that you are scoring the tests during the work day and your camera has to be on! So, nope! Can't do that.

This makes Poshmark that much more important to my livelihood. I think I would rather sell my items in a live show than have someone watching me grade student work.  

My previous job that went away due to AI was online but I had all the freedom I wanted because I did my job and did not need to be supervised.  We had zoom meetings but no one asked me to keep my camera on.  And, no one supervised my work while I was grading!

I need to list a few items!  Have a good rest of the week.

Price of eggs still got you down? Buying clothing secondhand can save you money and help save in many other ways too!

What are the advantages to recycling clothing?

I Googled and here's my paraphrased version of what AI provided:

"Secondhand clothes offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and unique way to shop, reducing waste, saving money, and allowing for unique style choices, while also supporting local businesses and communities."

Environmental Benefits:

• 1. It extends the lifespan of each item keeping it from ending up in landfills sooner.
• 2. It lowers your carbon footprint as well as lowering that in the manufacturing industry. 

  3. It conserves water, energy and raw materials. 
4. It reduces pollution
Economic Benefits:

1. It saves you money
2. It supports my livelihood (a little) and supports local thrift stores or secondhand businesses.
Style and Personal Expression:

1. It provides the buyer with an opportunity to find that unique or vintage item that cannot be found in stores today.

The "Hunt" is Fun:
1. It is fun to rummage or scroll through looking for an unexpected bargain

Charitable Contributions:
1.  It is a way to contribute to charitable organizarions.

Moral of the story:  Come shop my closet and hunt for that unique item! 

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 25% off your item or bundle.